‘Going Up’ is a pilot out of school learning programme with a football theme, which works with groups of children in their final year at primary school and follows them through into secondary school at the start of the new term. It has so far been tried out in the March and Wisbech areas.

The aim is for fun activities, at each stage, to help the youngsters develop skills for learning and for life.

The scheme is part of a partnership between the Cambridgeshire FA, Cambridge United FC and the County Council, and hopes to develop a range of out of school learning opportunities around the region, including the development of a study support centre at Cambridge United FC.

David Llewellyn, Cambridgeshire FA’s County Football Development Officer, is encouraged by the early feedback: “It was fantastic to see children enjoying and benefiting from education and football working together,” he says.

“The two hour sessions are delivered weekly, directly after school, and combine numeracy and literacy exercises and practical football sessions.

“The learning programme includes such items as ‘Beckham’s clothes line’ - which shows pupils how to multiply fractions – completing match reports and how to design a football, all of which disguise numeracy or literacy exercise.

Stuart Jacobs, Football in the Community Officer at Cambridge United, added: “I am delighted that this new scheme has kicked off. The aim of
‘Going Up’ is to support children’s learning and development through a transitional phase.

“Some children find the move challenging, but this scheme aims to provide a bridge from primary to secondary school. We have worked with the schools to identify children we believe will benefit from the activities on offer.”

Donna McIvor, The FA’s National Football Development Manager (Education), says that the scheme will provide support for children at what can be a difficult time.

“The transition from primary to secondary school is a big step in everybody’s life, and something like this which makes that step easier, is bound to be beneficial.

“The fact that football is involved in the learning process will probably mean that the ‘Going Up’ scheme is a huge success.”